Predictably, a record 85 underclassmen will be among the 335 players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis February 19-24... Although players have been notified, the official list has not yet been announced formally, and there are often a few late changes right up until the week of the event.

Below are the top Combine snubs at each position, as well as a surprise invitee:

Quarterback – Brett Smith, Wyoming
One of the 13 underclassmen who declared early and didn't receive a Combine invite, Smith doesn't have elite physical tools, but he's an athletic, confident and decisive passer who set numerous school and conference records in college. He needs to develop his decision-making, but is tough, gutsy and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Smith arrived at Wyoming as an underrated recruit and leaves Wyoming as an underrated NFL prospect.

Running Back – Zach Bauman, North Arizona
Undersized at 5-7 and 196 pounds, Bauman was one of only nine players in FCS history to rush for 1,000+ yards four times, earning All-Big Sky honors each season. He doesn't look like much and lacks a power element, but is quick-footed to make explosive jump cuts and pick his way through the defense. Bauman runs low to the ground with a light lower body to make fast, decisive moves and finish runs.

Wide Receiver – Chandler Jones, San Jose State
After Noel Grigsby went down with an injury, Jones stepped up as the clear-cut No. 1 target for David Fales and the San Jose State offense, finishing the 2013 season with 79 catches for 1,356 yards and 15 receiving scores. He is undersized at 5-9 and 180 pounds, but creates separation with his foot quickness and natural burst and does a nice job finishing catches and creating after the catch.

Tight End/Fullback – Jay Prosch, Auburn
An athletic, smash-mouth blocker, Prosch had just five touches as a senior and zero carries, but he was still a big part of the Tigers offense, helping to create run lanes as a lead blocker. He has an intriguing blend of size, speed, and strength and showed at the Senior Bowl that he has the versatility to help out with the ball in his hands or running over defenders as a blocker.

Offensive Line – Kevin Danser, Stanford
Danser, who started all 14 games at right guard each of the last two seasons, needs to learn patience, often overextending himself, but he works hard to finish. He flashes a killer instinct and enjoys mauling defenders in the run game with his physical, competitive nature. Danser has the temperament for the NFL, but needs time to adjust to the speed of the next level and improve his discipline.

Defensive End – Chaz Sutton, South Carolina
Rushing off the edge opposite Jadeveon Clowney, Sutton totaled the same number of sacks (three) in 2013 as the future 1st rounder. He needs to play more controlled and finish, but he has some intriguing tools to stop the run and disrupt the pocket – he just struggles to do it consistently.

Defensive Tackle – Bruce Gaston, Purdue
After a notable junior season playing next to Kawann Short, Gaston had a ho-hum senior season as he struggled to adjust to Purdue's new 3-4 defensive scheme. He looks the part and has good snap quickness to attack gaps and keep his hips low to anchor at the point of attack. Gaston had a positive week at the East-West Shrine game and is considered draftable.

Linebacker – Morgan Breslin, USC
A junior college transfer last year, Breslin burst onto the scene with a team-best 13.0 sacks for the Trojans in 2012. However, he battled injuries this past season as a senior, finishing with just 4.5 sacks in five games. Breslin underwent hip surgery in November and might be trying to receive a medical hardship waiver to play in 2014 for the Trojans.

OTHER LB SNUBS: DeDe Lattimore, Shaquil Barrett, Eddie Lackey

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED LB INVITEE: Jordan Tripp, Montana

Cornerback – Shaquille Richardson, Arizona
A tall, long-armed defensive back, Richardson has an intriguing mix of size and speed, which is a very popular combination right now in the NFL. He has enough hip fluidity and foot quickness to play in space and play close to the line of scrimmage in press, but he needs to play with more consistency in coverage and vs. the run. Richardson had a positive week at the East-West Shrine practices and is a surprise omission from the Combine list.

Safety – Denicos Allen, Michigan State
A key cog to the Spartan defense that won the Big Ten and Rose Bowl this past season, Allen played mostly linebacker at Michigan State but projects to more of a hybrid safety role at the next level. His “tweener” skill-set creates some concern, but he has the mental make-up and tenacity to play the run and drop in space.

Before Saturday's regional combine in Houston, I spent hours combing through stories and videos in an attempt to unearth a diamond in the rough.

Regional combines are full of long shots. They are open to all players who are eligible for the 2014 NFL Draft but were not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, as well as players eligible for previous drafts who have never signed an NFL contract and players who have played professionally in some capacity but have been out of action for a period of time.

Players must qualify under NFL eligibility rules to be accepted. Players who are eligible for the 2014 Draft as Underclassmen, or players that are under contract to another professional football League are not permitted to attend NFL Regional Combines.

NFL Regional Combines are not fantasy camps. Applicants must meet NFL eligibility rules and be able to perform at a high skill level. The NFL reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any applicant it determines to be unqualified or unfit to compete.

That refrain (and numerous variations) were heard during drills throughout Saturday's Regional Combine in Houston as participants in each position group encouraged other participants who were there chasing their dreams of playing in the NFL.

Regional Combines are open to all players who are eligible for the 2014 NFL Draft but were not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, as well as players eligible for previous drafts who have never signed an NFL contract and players who have played professionally in some capacity but have been out of action for a period of time.